If you liked previous films in the Benji dog series, you may like this one too, but not necessarily. Since there has been only one previous review during the last 12 years, and that was last year, I assume that this film is pretty much off the radar of films to see. It grossed only a few million $s upon it's initial release: much less than the first 2 Benji films, produced about 30 years before. But, since it came as part of a 4 pack of Benji films, I decided to see and review it.
There are actually two rather similar-looking free-ranging dogs in this story for most of the film, thus similar to "Benji". One is nameless until the finale, when it is chosen to be Benji for an upcoming film. The smaller of the two is named Shaggy, by Mr. Finch: a lonely senior citizen, who tries to lure it into staying as a pet, by leaving bowls of food and water on the front porch. Both dogs were found in separate animal shelters and trained to be actors.
The plot centers around a substandard breeding operation, and especially one dog and its mother, which the owner considers his most valuable breeder. But, it's in very poor physical condition because of substandard care, and overbreeding, as detailed by the vet, near film's end.
The few reviews thus far are mostly split between those who love the film, and those who hate it, one declaring it the worse film they have ever seen! One said their young child was either bored or terrified by most scenes. This is similar to negative reviews of the previous "For the Love of Benji". In both these films, unlike the initial "Benji", Benji was in trouble for most of the film. Also, "Benji" included 2 sub-teen kids who were important characters, not present in the subsequent 2 films. As an adult, I felt "Benji" was too bland for me, except for the kidnapping section. I found these 2 more recent films more interesting. But, perhaps many young kids don't want to see Benji usually in trouble? Perhaps the ideal viewer for these 2 films is someone like me: an older teen or adult who likes some dogs(hopefully including Benji), but who has minimal contact with real dogs. Elderly lonely Mr. Finch in the film, is a good example of such a person. Hence, perhaps these 2 films were marketed to the wrong people: families with small children and a friendly, lovable, dog.
The primary source of the periodic comical relief is the 2 clown-like dimwit Animal Control field operators, who keep trying to capture one dog or the other, sometimes engaging in slapstick humor. However, eventually, when the 2 dogs lead them to where Daisy is laying, very sick, they immediately take her to the vet. In addition, one of them has quite a good singing voice, singing the old standard "It had to be You" during the ending credits.
Almost forgot to mention Merlin: the talkative cockatoo, as providing a bit of humor now and again.
I can recommend purchasing the 4-film Benji DVD packet: not expensive, if you think you may be one of the ideal viewers.
There are actually two rather similar-looking free-ranging dogs in this story for most of the film, thus similar to "Benji". One is nameless until the finale, when it is chosen to be Benji for an upcoming film. The smaller of the two is named Shaggy, by Mr. Finch: a lonely senior citizen, who tries to lure it into staying as a pet, by leaving bowls of food and water on the front porch. Both dogs were found in separate animal shelters and trained to be actors.
The plot centers around a substandard breeding operation, and especially one dog and its mother, which the owner considers his most valuable breeder. But, it's in very poor physical condition because of substandard care, and overbreeding, as detailed by the vet, near film's end.
The few reviews thus far are mostly split between those who love the film, and those who hate it, one declaring it the worse film they have ever seen! One said their young child was either bored or terrified by most scenes. This is similar to negative reviews of the previous "For the Love of Benji". In both these films, unlike the initial "Benji", Benji was in trouble for most of the film. Also, "Benji" included 2 sub-teen kids who were important characters, not present in the subsequent 2 films. As an adult, I felt "Benji" was too bland for me, except for the kidnapping section. I found these 2 more recent films more interesting. But, perhaps many young kids don't want to see Benji usually in trouble? Perhaps the ideal viewer for these 2 films is someone like me: an older teen or adult who likes some dogs(hopefully including Benji), but who has minimal contact with real dogs. Elderly lonely Mr. Finch in the film, is a good example of such a person. Hence, perhaps these 2 films were marketed to the wrong people: families with small children and a friendly, lovable, dog.
The primary source of the periodic comical relief is the 2 clown-like dimwit Animal Control field operators, who keep trying to capture one dog or the other, sometimes engaging in slapstick humor. However, eventually, when the 2 dogs lead them to where Daisy is laying, very sick, they immediately take her to the vet. In addition, one of them has quite a good singing voice, singing the old standard "It had to be You" during the ending credits.
Almost forgot to mention Merlin: the talkative cockatoo, as providing a bit of humor now and again.
I can recommend purchasing the 4-film Benji DVD packet: not expensive, if you think you may be one of the ideal viewers.